A podcast dedicated to real and raw conversations about gun violence in our communities with those who have experienced it, who are doing the work to prevent it, and who want the violence to stop.
In Season One, you got the chance to hear from each of our guests individually. In the reunion, we got them all in the same conversation to talk about today's most pressing topics from their respective positions. Tap in as we explore their insights on everything from Breonna Taylor's murder to the one solution they have for gun violence in the District right now.
We wrap up Season 1 with none other than DC's very own, Tony Lewis Jr. Community activist, reentry expert, self-proclaimed public servant, and author of "Slugg: A Boy's Life in the Age of Mass Incarceration," Tony's impact on the community knows no bounds. Tap in as we discuss how community members can step up and get involved, the political shift that is needed in the District and across the country, and who Tony's dream "verzuz" battle would be.
It doesn’t get more raw than this. Listen to DC rapper, Young Fre$h, talk about his experience being stabbed 12x by his best friend, shot twice in Southeast DC, but still hungry to be an example of greatness for his community. We get his reactions to whether or not Megan Thee Stallion is a snitch, his daughter’s social media success, and a peek of his new album, “Hardest Out.”
The talk with violence interrupters in the District continues. Charles King is the founder of Helping Others with life (H.O.W.L.), a nonprofit organization aimed towards helping others progress in life in a positive way. The infestation of drugs and the infamous “murder capitol” era made up the backdrop of Charles’ childhood, and the grip of the street life was not easily escapable. Still, he knew he had an obligation to change the lives across D.C. Charles is currently serving as a residential counselor and family engagement specialist with youth involved with The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. Listen as he uncovers the credibility of violence interrupters, ways to expose youth to areas outside of their environments, the money aspect of violence prevention, and the untitled.
Listen as we continue raw conversations with those doing the work on the ground. Jawanna Hardy is a community activist and the founder of Guns Down Friday, an organization that provides resources to communities affected by youth homicide, suicide, and mental illness. After serving 6 years in the United States Airforce, Miss Hardy realized the streets of DC were worse than a war zone, prompting her to serve the community with free food, books, job resources, clothes, mentorship, and memorials for their loved ones. Tune into her take on the women’s perspective of violence interruption, ways to support violence prevention groups, and whether Cardi B’s new single, WAP, is hot...... or not.
Listen to us while we chop it up with Ron Whaley, the program manager for gun violence organization Cure the Streets, owner of the clothing line L.A.W. (Love Always Wins), and founder of youth mentoring program Finding Stars LLC. Whaley is a returning citizen who experienced gun violence himself after being shot 14 times. Tune into his take on best practices for violence interruption, how COVID has changed the work, and what we can do for our youth moving forward.
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